When I pull the trigger, it will be somewhere in southern Palm Beach County, Lantana area. With so many choices for slips I am finding that choice to be complex as well considering its the second biggest cost component.

So I am here doing some post Annapolis processing of what I experienced. With the debut of the Oceanis 35 I continue to consider the practical costs of new purchase and yearly cost of ownership of this boat vs. the 38 and am favoring the smaller version. Given that, the. Jeanneau 349 has come back into play as it appears to have advantages including a potential better performance as it is more than 12" narrower with a finer hull entry and a square top mainsail option. Same lightweight displacement. Apparent lesser standard cost too. The 349 head/shower is much nicer in size and design with a serviceable pass through to the wet locker/storage garage from the shower.What I don't like about the 349 in comparison are the friction rings although I could get used to them. The size differential appears mostly in a narrower cockpit and the aft cabin that looks like it's just barely a double bed size. The Oceanis 35 aft cabin has an athwartships bunk and with the wider beam, is almost identical to the Oceanis 38 in size. Beneteau has given us an interesting choice between the 35 and 38 as the models are so similar, almost feature-to-feature identical with the trade offs being in physical dimension. I need to learn more about cost differentials between it and the 38. Does not seem reasonable to be only $20K USD.
Until I get to compare actual performance of the three on the water, I will focus on cost of ownership. Slip fees, insurance, and overall maintenance should be less on the smaller boats, and that adds up over time. Visiting Ft Lauderdale around Thanksgiving where I hope to learn more.

Hi RKsailsolo
I went through the same dilema. Investigated the Jeanneau 349, 371 and ended up with the Oceanis 38, and could not be happier.

3.7 feet longer water line than the 349 will make a difference. With 5 adults on boat, 10 knots true and 50 degrees close hauled, we were doing 7 to 7.3 knots.

The cockpit is huge for a 38. I am 6'2"and banged my head on the 38, imagine on the 349. The water reservoir is also decent with 87 Gallons.

Regarding insurance, it will depend most on your previous experience and certification. I ended paying 3.9 k for my with a total price of 260k fully equipped.
Feel free to contact me if you want to come and sail the 38 in Fort lauderdale.
Good luck in your search. It is already 50 % of the fun.
Cheers
Homero

Jeanneau 349 has come back into play as it appears to have advantages including a potential better performance as it is more than 12" narrower

I would consider the wider beam the advantage, as it means a steadier ride, less heeling, and (theoretically) requiring less ballast. I would also much prefer the athwartships bunk, as I would prefer that as the owner's cabin instead of the pointy bunk forward. The Oceanis 35 also has four windows inside as opposed to two.

Still, the Jeanneau is a bit more stylish in my opinion, and looks like higher quality at first glance.

The full name of the FB group is: "Beneteau Oceanis 38 Sailboat Owners". Johan I believe I've sent you an invite, but if you could search for this group and let me know if you can find it I would appreciate it.

Thanks!

Matt

Matt,
I still can't see it. It may be a settings thing or a regional thing?

I went through the same dilema. Investigated the Jeanneau 349, 371 and ended up with the Oceanis 38, and could not be happier.

Thanks. I ruled out the Jeanneau 371 as it has no real advantage vs. the Oceanis 38. The $ difference between that and the Jeanneau 349 is compelling though, and it has no arch. At the Beneteau booth, I was informed the 38 is up to hull #49. It's catching on in the market.

Quote:

Originally Posted by homerobarros

3.7 feet longer water line than the 349 will make a difference. With 5 adults on boat, 10 knots true and 50 degrees close hauled, we were doing 7 to 7.3 knots.

The cockpit is huge for a 38. I am 6'2"and banged my head on the 38, imagine on the 349.

Regarding insurance, it will depend most on your previous experience and certification. I ended paying 3.9 k for my with a total price of 260k fully equipped.

Longer waterline with more carrying capacity makes sense she would be fast, sounds like fun to me. I got a similar quote at the show from the Progressive Insurance people. That cockpit size on both the Oceanis 35 and 38 IS larger than the Jeanneaus with a more narrow beam plus the coamings curve in towards each other at the companionway. I read that the arch and the drop down transom are options on both the Oceanis 35 and 38. If I decide new boat, It may be worth the cost to raise the arch by two inches if possible without messing up the main angles.

Appreciate your insights and experience. Which broker did you use in Ft Lauderdale? And is this repeat business for you and that broker?

I would consider the wider beam the advantage, as it means a steadier ride, less heeling, and (theoretically) requiring less ballast. I would also much prefer the athwartships bunk, as I would prefer that as the owner's cabin instead of the pointy bunk forward. The Oceanis 35 also has four windows inside as opposed to two.

Still, the Jeanneau is a bit more stylish in my opinion, and looks like higher quality at first glance.

Those extra two port lights in the Oceanis 35 make a big difference in bouncing natural light around the saloon vs the Jeanneau 349. I see more appealing style on the deck, hull, and cockpit for the 349, but the 35's interior wins my visual attention vs the more conventional interior of the 349.

Rk,
I have been seriously investigating which boat to buy for the past 3 years. Have talked to several brokers, but no one has given me more attention and knowledge than one called Sean Braun from Miami, who is absolutely not pushy and extremely knowledgeable. He is a naval designer, racer and deliver skipper. We couldn't be happier. His number is 305 439 0426 and his email is sean@jsbrowndesign.com
Good luck RK.

Rk,
I have been seriously investigating which boat to buy for the past 3 years. Have talked to several brokers, but no one has given me more attention and knowledge than one called Sean Braun from Miami, who is absolutely not pushy and extremely knowledgeable. He is a naval designer, racer and deliver skipper. We couldn't be happier. His number is 305 439 0426 and his email is sean@jsbrowndesign.com
Good luck RK.

Today Beneteau rep told me that - post Annapolis - they are now up to hull 82 for the O38. Don't know if this is spin, but my hull is supposed to be 61 and I ordered it on 8/31 (I'm told that it should ship in next two weeks and they will confirm # then). Does anyone know how many boats OEMs usually sell in the first year?

Also, has anyone purchased the OEM asymmetricspinnaker? If so, please let us know what it looks like (color/patterns, etc.), whether it is well made, and how it deploys (sock?)/sails/jibes. Thx JH

Today Beneteau rep told me that - post Annapolis - they are now up to hull 82 for the O38. Don't know if this is spin, but my hull is supposed to be 61 and I ordered it on 8/31 (I'm told that it should ship in next two weeks and they will confirm # then). Does anyone know how many boats OEMs usually sell in the first year?

Also, has anyone purchased the OEM asymmetricspinnaker? If so, please let us know what it looks like (color/patterns, etc.), whether it is well made, and how it deploys (sock?)/sails/jibes. Thx JH

Mstrebe ( in this thread) is a new owner having just purchased the San Diego demo boat. Maybe he's got what you need regarding the symetric.

I was in Annapolis Benetau booth at the show and recollect a broker told me he thought they are building hull 50. If that's true, it means that as of end of this past August, global model sales had at least an 11 boat factory order sequence ahead of yours. Whatever calculation you use, it suggests a growing order list that expresses popular demand for the model. I think it's almost impossible to generalize first twelve months model sales as there are too many sailboat builders in the world at every level of the market. If your limiting that search to high production builders, it could be easier to try to discover 1st year sales data for that model.